OSHA citations and penalties

Correct Answer: Request a citation review and provide evidence of compliance.

The most appropriate action is to request a citation review and provide evidence of compliance. This approach allows the employer to formally contest the citation by presenting documentation that demonstrates the machine was compliant at the time of inspection. Paying the citation without contesting may lead to unnecessary penalties if the employer is indeed compliant. Immediately ceasing all operations involving the machine could disrupt business operations unnecessarily if there was no actual violation. Implementing additional safety measures regardless of compliance may not address the specific citation and could be an inefficient use of resources.

Correct Answer: $15,625 per violation

OSHA can impose a maximum penalty of $15,625 for each serious safety violation in the private sector. The other options either exceed or do not reach the current maximum allowable penalty.

Correct Answer: Willful Violations

Willful Violations are the most severe category of OSHA violations that can result in the highest penalties. These occur when an employer intentionally and knowingly disregards OSHA requirements or demonstrates plain indifference to employee safety. Serious Violations involve situations where there is a substantial probability of death or serious harm, but without intent. Other-Than-Serious Violations relate to less severe infractions that do not directly result in serious harm, and Repeated Violations apply when the same violation has been previously cited. Therefore, 'Willful Violations' carry the highest penalties among OSHA violation categories.